Design and Test Model Solar Water Heaters
Students build a model solar water heaterCopyright Wikimedia Commons http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/5/5e/Solar_water_heater.jpg
To explore different ways of using solar energy, students build a model solar water heater and determine how much it can heat water in a given amount of time. Solar water heaters work by solar radiation and convection.
Engineers use the principles of radiation and convection in many applications. For example, in the engine cooling system of a car or motorcycle, pumps move a fluid (antifreeze or engine coolant) through the engine. As this fluid flows throughout the engine, it absorbs the heat produced by the motor (convective and conductive heat transfer), which cools the engine. The primary purpose of the coolant is to transfer heat to cool the engine — just the opposite of the purpose of a solar water heater, which is to transfer heat to warm the house.
After this activity, students should be able to:
- Build a basic solar water heater.
- Explain how the sun can be used to heat water.
- Identify the parameters engineers can modify to improve solar water heaters.